MidiStep vs AuDelay
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MidiStep
Create complex rhythms and generative music with a powerful step sequencer. Control randomization for notes, chords, velocity, and more to generate unique, ever-changing musical patterns. Automate synth parameters with independent modulation lanes.
- User-controlled randomization for musical parameters
- Polyphonic chord playback per step
- Variable step sequence lengths
- Multiple linked patterns
- 8 independent modulation lanes
- Real-time modification of randomization
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MidiStep is a powerful and inspirational polyphonic step sequencer, and a dream for lovers of complex rhythms and generative music creation tools. The program uses sophisticated, user-controlled randomization to generate notes with a variety of parameters, including note values, note length, chords, patterns, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, and many more. You have complete control over what, when, and how much is randomized on a step-by-step basis. You can easily create patterns that have little to no variation, patterns that maintain a recognizable pattern but have some degree of variations to the notes, velocity, etc., all the way to patterns with extreme randomness with every pass – the degree of randomization is completely under your control for every parameter and for every step of a pattern. Features include per-step polyphonic chord playback, variable step sequence lengths for all parameters such as pitch, octave, velocity, note duration, beat divisions etc, and the capability to create multiple patterns which can be linked together in various ways. MidiStep also features 8 additional modulation lanes with independent play speeds. These can be used to automate parameters within your favourite synths. MidiStep uses sophisticated randomization settings for note values, note lengths, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, pitch bend and modulation. In addition, by setting different cycle lengths, step skips, step repeats, jumps, rewinds, cursor positions, pattern jumps, octave shifts, and many other parameters, you can create an infinite number of non-repeating sequences. The degree and types of randomizations for each of these parameters is up to you! Aleatoric music, also known as chance music, allows you to create patterns and entire compositions with user-controlled randomisation. The word 'aleatory' is derived from the Latin word 'alea' meaning dice. MidiStep allows you to turn on/off randomisation on a stepwise basis for almost all parameters, set the percent probability that the randomisation will occur, set min/max values, set exactly which parameters will be randomized, etc. The exact realization of the music will vary with each pass of the sequence, resulting in unique and captivating aleatoric renditions. All randomization controls can be modified in real-time. Features include: •Each of the 16 sequences can have unlimited types and degrees of randomness that you control. •8 independent sequencer lanes: Notes, Chords, Octaves, Velocity, Gate, Divider, Repeat, Delay. •8 independent Modulation sequencer lanes. •16 Patterns and 4 types of pattern switching, independent for each pattern. •Up to 16 steps per pattern, 16 patterns, and 16 cycles per pattern for a maximum sequence length of 4096 notes. •Independent sequencer length (1–16 steps) for each of the 16 lanes. •A Master step cursor independent of all other lanes. •Independent randomization parameters for each of the 16 lanes, with probability, min/max values, default values, skips, repeats, etc. •Unlimited variety of sequences, from slight variation to wildly different sequences on every pass. •126 scales and 126 chords – in every key, along with a scale and chord editor for you to create your own. •Chord complexity for 2–8 note chords, with notes specified or randomly generated. •Chord Articulation options – Block chords, Strum up/down, Arp up/down – with accent, length, speed, and random note order parameters. •Master lane and Chord lane previews. •Pattern Creator - automatic melody, chord, bass and drum backing. •Auto-scroll chord lane. •7-octave range for notes and chords (from C1–C8), with static and random octave offsets. •11 note lengths – from 1/32 note to 4 full measures, plus ties across notes, rests, repeated notes, and delays. •Two types of Swing with adjustable offset. •Humanize settings for note velocity and note timing. •Transposition of sequences using a keyboard – mono for single notes, and poly for chords.
AuDelay
This audio effect plugin offers a unique delay with a cosmic ambient soundscape. It utilizes the Golden Ratio in its design for versatile and unconventional sound manipulation, featuring three stereo delay lines with variable modulation and lo-fi texture.
- Golden Ratio DSP
- Three stereo delay lines
- Variable modulation
- Lo-fi texture
- Max 16-second delay time
- Soft switch/trails mode
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AuDelay Golden Ratio Cosmic Delay (AUv3) AuDelay is an audio effect plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host application such as Logic Pro or GarageBand. Overview AuDelay is a delay effect that looks quite simple on the outside, but there's a lot going on inside. The Golden Ratio (*) is used extensively in the DSP code for AuDelay which results in a versatile delay effect that can also sound very unconventional. At its core, AuDelay is a trio of stereo delay lines with variable modulation, panning and lo-fi texture. Shorter delay times can produce an echo effect reminiscent of vintage "oil can" units, but with a maximum base delay time of 16 seconds, "cosmic" ambient soundscape delay effects is where AuDelay really shines. AuDelay takes its name from the chemical element symbol "Au" for gold, and it just so happens to be an "AU" (Audio Unit) too! Please note that by design, AuDelay is not well-suited to tempo-sync / rhythmic type delays, so if that's more your thing, please check out PolyDelay as an alternative. AuDelay is also similarly named, but not to be confused with AulDelay either, which is a much more basic analog-flavoured delay. (*) The Golden Ratio, approximately equal to 1.618, is a special number that has fascinated many scholars going back to Ancient Greek times. It can be found in geometry, architecture, art and even some patterns in nature. Controls Active - Toggles the effect On or Off. This behaves as a "soft switch" or in "trails mode", allowing any delay repeats to ring out when you toggle to the Off state. Time - Sets the base, or longest delay time. There are three delay lines, each with different pre-delay and base delay times. With Density set to minimum, you have just one line active, so you will typically hear a shorter initial (pre-delay) repeat, then a longer repeat equal to the Time value - very similar to an "oil can delay" with just one head. Density - This activates the 2nd and 3rd delay lines progressively, so you will hear the output of these delays faded into the wet mix gradually as you increase the Density control. However, when the control gets close to maximum, something else interesting starts to happen... Density 0% - Only one delay line is active. Density 0-50% - A second delay line is mixed in gradually, with the two being equal level with the Density control at 50%. Density 50-75% - A third delay line is mixed in gradually, with all three being equal level with the Density control at 75%. Density 75-100% - In this range, the output of the lines are fed back into each other, creating an almost reverb-like wash, especially at high Regen settings. Regen - Sets the regeneration or feedback for the delay lines. Note that because of the way the Density processing works, AuDelay does not do infinite or "freeze" type effects, but rest assured, the decay time can still be very long when Regen is set to maximum. Lo-Fi - Applies high and lowpass filtering to the delay repeats along with some gritty drive to emulate a vintage analog delay. Mod - Applies modulation to the delay. Each delay line is modulated independently and in stereo for a lush chorusing type effect. As you increase Mod, the underlying LFOs start to drift and warble in an unpredictable way. Pan - Applies a panning effect to the output of each delay line. The pan rate varies with the delay time and the underlying LFOs will also start to drift as you increase the control. Mix - Increases the level of the delayed signal. Note that AuDelay does not go 100% "wet", so Mix does not alter the level of your dry signal. Out - Can be used to adjust the overall output (wet + dry) from AuDelay. For more info and support please visit: www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: AuDelay at $1.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. AuDelay also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). MidiStep's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (25 vs 4). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
MidiStep costs $14.99 and AuDelay $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AuDelay holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MidiStep has 25 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of MidiStep's written reviews are positive against 100% of AuDelay's.
MidiStep ships an update every 2 weeks, AuDelay every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MidiStep | AuDelay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (25 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 25 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | Rob Jackson |
Customer experience
MidiStep
AuDelay
In-app purchases
MidiStep
No in-app purchases
AuDelay
No in-app purchases









